Woman faces up to 28 years in prison

SHIPROCK — A 29-year-old Shiprock woman pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to charges of involuntary manslaughter and assault for her role in a fatal car crash in February 2013.

According to an indictment, Samantha Deal was driving under the influence of alcohol in San Juan County on Feb. 4, 2013, when she killed a woman and seriously injured two other people. Deal was arrested on July 17, 2013, based on an indictment charging her with one count of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to court records, Deal suffered severe injuries as a result of the crash, and she was released shortly after her arrest to live with her family while the case was pending.

Deal entered her guilty plea without the benefit of a plea agreement, the release states. She faces up to 28 years in prison — a maximum penalty of eight years in federal prison for involuntary manslaughter and up to 10 years in prison for each of the two assault charges.